How do I go to Jun Castro?
What kind of repairs does Jun Castro do?
How much will it cost to have the --enter part here-- of my --enter instrument here-- fixed?
How much will it cost to build a custom instrument?
How long does it take to repair or customize an instrument?
Can I contact Jun through this website?
How good is Jun compared to --insert name of luthier here--.
Does Jun stock replacement parts for instruments?
Does Jun buy and sell equipment?
Will Jun take in apprentices or students in luthiery?

How do I go to Jun Castro?

Here's what I posted in the Yupangco forums before:

go through EDSA, northbound, then take the Rockwell flyover past Ayala/Buendia and go straight. at the end is JP Rizal. take a left turn and go straight and don't leave JP Rizal, as it's basically a one-way street past the Rockwell area (southbound motorists head directly to JP Rizal from EDSA). you'll eventuall reach a blocked intersection with a McDonald's branch in the corner. you have no choice but to take a right turn.

you are now in A Reyes street. you'll be passing the race track. take a left turn before passing through the immaculate concepcion arch.

now, you're in E Pascua. then take a right turn at Del Pan street, which is near the arch that indicates the boundary between Makati and Manila.

take a left turn when you reach the intersection to Nuñez Street. Jun Castro's house is on the left side, along a short bridge by the day care center.

Please check the roadmap* to better visualize the directions:

What kind of repairs does Jun Castro do?

Pretty much everything necessary to properly set up a guitar, from intonation and action adjustments, to refinishing and what I would call "major surgery" such as body rerouting, truss rod replacement, headstock reattachment and similar critical repairs.

There are however certain things that are beyond his scope. One example is retrofitting with the Buzz Feiten Tuning System. I have personally discouraged him to pursue it, as becoming an authorized retrofitter requires proper training and supplies provided exclusively by Mr. Feiten's company itself. Jun simply does not have the resources to attain that and it would be a disservice to his customers if Jun retrofits instruments without proper authorization.

How much will it cost to have the --enter part here-- of my --enter instrument here-- fixed?

It's difficult for me to give an exact quotation without Jun seeing the instrument for himself. I still don't have permission to post his price list for repairs (I don't even have a copy of it). It would be better for you to call him up or visiting him personally to have your instrument diagnosed.

How much will it cost to build a custom instrument?

Again, it depends upon your exact specifications. Carved-top electrics, for example (such as Les Paul and PRS style bodies), can cost as much as PhP50,000, depending on your specifications.

It can get very expensive, and is obviously not for everyone. Which is why it is also encouraged that you get new or used instruments instead, if you want an instrument of a common design (e.g. Strats, Teles, Les Pauls, etc), and then modify it to your liking. However, if you want nothing but the best wood, hardware and electronics of your exact specifications for your instrument, then yes, building one from scratch is one of the best ways to go, and Jun can be of huge assistance.

How long does it take to repair or customize an instrument?

A custom guitar can take anywhere from three to five months to complete. Sometimes longer. Intonation adjustment can take as little as an hour or so, or maybe take days.

Again, it really depends on the instrument and Jun's workload. It might seem like a huge pile of BS for some people, but Jun treats his luthiery as an artform. And if you're someone who even remotely plays his instrument, you know you can't rush things like that; it only makes things worse. It's really up to him to dictate how long it takes for job orders to be finished.

Having experienced waiting for extended periods for certain repairs and stuff myself, I completely understand this concern. Custom jobs specially take a long time to finish. But since I also dabble in guitar modding, I also understand why it can take so long. Just have some patience and I'm sure the results would be well worth the wait.

Can I contact Jun through this website?

Unfortunately, no. Any inquiries done here have to go through me. I do hope this will change in the near future. He does have an email address now. Feel free to send him a message here. I can't guarantee a quick reply through email, though. Calling or sending an SMS is still the fastest way to contact him.

How good is Jun compared to --insert name of luthier here--.

This is a touchy subject. The testimonials page shows but a small fraction of the people Jun made happy with his work. Most of them have photos of their instruments posted here in this site, which should be proof that he does have some skill to say the least. What makes Jun different, but not necessarily better, than other luthiers is the way he approaches his work. Lots of people like it, but some people will inevitably not appreciate his style. It's the same case as in other luthiers (or people for that matter).

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that I refuse to compare luthiers. Instead, what I would suggest is to look for the luthier that suits your needs best on your own. Kung kanino ka hiyang, doon ka, di ba?

Does Jun stock replacement parts for instruments?

It would be safe for you to assume that he doesn't. The only parts Jun stocks with any regularity are stuff like wood, fretwires and common small electronic components. He'll usually shop for parts from outside sources, but it would also be good if you acquire the parts yourself. Jun (and myself to a certain extent) will gladly assist you in buying parts.

Does Jun buy and sell equipment?

Occasionally, yes. He might also accept certain items as payment for his services. He may also know of people buying or selling stuff, so feel free to ask him.

Will Jun take in apprentices or students in luthiery?

As of the moment, no. But I am aware that it's one of his long-term plans to do so.